New research confirms the obvious, stoop over and don't move much and you'll significantly increase your risk for lower back pain. In a newly released study, Hong Kong researchers evaluated workers at a school for severely handicapped individuals. Workers wore accelerometers attached to their trunks - devises that measure and track the degrees of trunk flexion. Researchers discovered those workers experiencing back pain were spending more time with their trunks in the same position as well as more time in bent positions of more than 10 degrees of flexion. According to researchers, "Rest activities such as standing up from stooping and walking for a short distance are suggested to promote the cyclic muscular contraction and relaxation that facilitate the nourishment of spinal tissues and provide periodic rest to the muscles." Thus, it's important to minimize working in bent over positions and take frequent back breaks and breathers. Think of the ligaments, muscles and other soft tissue structures of the back as an elastic band. When you over stretch an elastic band or maintain its stretched position for an extended period, it weakens, loses its ability to return to normal and ultimately can snap due to the excessive strains and stresses placed upon it. However, unlike an elastic band your back doesn't come in a 100 pack at your local office supply store. You have one back for life. Call your local chiropractor today and learn how to treat your back with the respect it deserves.

According to new research, those who spend more time sitting and being sedentary as compared with those who are active and moving around are more likely to die from any cause. Data from the study also indicates that this holds true even for those individuals who obtain adequate amounts of exercise. It appears that even for those who exercise regularly, sitting or reclining excessively on a regular basis is simply bad for your health. In evaluating more than 200,000 adults aged 45 and older, those who reported sitting for 11 or more hours per day were 40 percent more likely to die during the study than those sitting less than 4 hours per day. Walking and moving around removes blood glucose and fats circulating in the blood stream whereas sitting is far less effective at accomplishing this. Researchers recommend frequent "get up and move around" breaks throughout the day for those who must sit for long periods of time, especially those working a desk job. In other words, move to live!

While there are many philosophies and beliefs in regards to chiropractic care and exactly how everything works and what conditions chiropractic care can affect, there are also those clinical results experienced by chiropractic patients that are important to share. One such experience involves a case study of a 39-year old woman who presented to a chiropractor with migraine headaches and essential tremors - a slowly progressive neurological disorder associated with tremors of the arms, hands and/or head that is apparent during voluntary movements such as eating and writing. She had suffered from migraines since the age of 10 and was diagnosed with an essential tremor since the year 2000. During her presentation to the chiropractor she had been experiencing episodes of tremors and migraines approximately 2 to 3 times per week. After receiving a thorough chiropractic evaluation, she was treated with a safe, high-velocity, low-amplitude chiropractic spinal manipulation to her upper neck region. According to the case study, there was improvement in her tremors and migraine headaches following her initial chiropractic treatment, with a sustained improvement after 4 months of care. Chiropractic care has helped millions of people not only get out of pain, but similar to this case study, successfully manage or resolve their ongoing health issues that may have existed for many years. We encourage those who are suffering from pain and other health problems to contact their local chiropractor today for a consultation.

Arlington, Va. —Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) are ready and willing to provide key support to patients who are trying to quit smoking and develop a healthier lifestyle, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). This reminder comes as communities across the country this week observe National Public Health Week (NPHW), which promotes smoking cessation on Tuesday, April 3.

The theme of NPHW 2012—"A Healthier America Begins Today: Join the Movement"—promotes the importance of prevention and wellness in health care. Likewise, the chiropractic profession has for more than 100 years promoted the value of prevention as a key component of health and wellness. In addition to providing expert musculoskeletal care, DCs routinely serve as "health coaches" to their patients—which may include helping them to quit smoking.

According to the Surgeon General, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable and premature death, killing an estimated 443,000 Americans each year. ACA offers the following advice to anyone who wants to quit:

Make a serious mental commitment to quitting.

Set a quit date.

Get rid of all cigarettes and smoking accessories (such as ashtrays) in your home, car, and other places where you might be tempted to smoke.

Do not let people smoke in your home.

Get support and encouragement from family, friends, co-workers and former smokers and consider joining a former smokers’ support group.

When tempted, perform tasks that could help distract you: go for a walk, brush your teeth, exercise, or take a bath.

"Most smokers must kick the habit more than once to finally quit. If you are unsuccessful the first or second time, try again. Don't see the initial attempts as failures, but as opportunities to learn what doesn't work," said ACA President Dr. Keith Overland. "With commitment and perseverance, you will succeed. Your family, friends and most of all, your body will thank you."

For online support, those trying to quit smoking may visit http://www.smokefree.gov/Default.aspx.Since 1995, when the first full week of April was declared NPHW, communities across the country have celebrated and recognized the contributions of public health and highlighted issues that are important to improving the public’s health.

The American Public Health Association (APHA) serves as the organizer of NPHW and develops a national campaign to educate the public, policy-makers and practitioners about issues related to that year's theme. APHA creates comprehensive planning, organizing and outreach materials that can be used during and after the week to raise awareness. APHA has featured a section devoted to chiropractic and the role that DCs play in public health since 1995.

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA), based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States representing doctors of chiropractic. ACA promotes the highest standards of patient care and ethics, and supports research that contributes to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. Visit www.acatoday.org.